Primer and powder spectrum . . .

[.3937"]

I am researching in order to start reloading. I have read quite a bit of general info and have some books ordered that haven't arrived, but my question may be ridiculous and/or impossible to answer logically and if so I'll wait until I have more knowledge before sticking my nose under the tent again.

I will be reloading handgun calibers .45 acp and 10mm but would like to also have 9mm, .40, & .357 supplies on hand even though I don't own these calibers.

Rifle calibers I will reload are .223/5.56, 7.62 x 39 & 51 (.308), 30-30, and 30-06.

I want to buy as few types of powder and primers as I can to cover these calibers in their respective classes (handgun/rifle). Keeping in mind that primers and powder could get real scarce and anything that would send a chunk of lead downrange halfway decent (and also cycle semi-autos reliability) do you have any suggestions?

Like I said, this may be a ridiculous question and if so my apologies.





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[josephbw]

It's a valid question. If the books you have on order include reloading recipes for both handguns and rifles, you will be able to find all your info in the books. You will just have to do some research.

Good Luck,
Joe

 

[zxcvbob]

Bullseye, Power Pistol, and 4895 or Varget.

 

[Frankl03]

One powder you could use in 223, 7.62x39 and 308 is H335. I have not used H335 in 308 but you could. Powders I use for 308 is H4895, Varget, IMR4096 and I plan to buy some IMR4895. I have never loaded 30-30 or 30.06.

Loading 223 I almost exclusively use H336 and W748 when I can't get H335.

Primers are getting cheaper now. Midway is having sales on them. If you are going to order online get as much as you can because you have to pay a hazmat fee. A good source for powder, primers and bullets is Powder Valley.

Hope that helps.

 

[whipper]

Once you get your book’s you will see a wide variety of powders that you can use for each. It would be difficult to pick out one powder to use in all the calibers that you want to reload for. Meaning some powders will work in all the loads. However, some will work better in one caliber then others. I use Win 748 in my mini 14 .223 and for my 3030. However, in my friend’s 308 I use IMR 4895 it works better. It is the same with pistols as well.

If you are, just looking to reload for cost savings and plinking you probable will be able to find a good all around powder that will work. However if you are looking for accuracy you will need several powders on hand.

Primers, there are large rifle, small rifle, regular, magnums and Br. (bench rest). And the same for pistols.

When you get the books, the recipes will have listed the primers they used in testing their loads with. You can use different brand primers as long as you stick with what the recipe calls for. For example CCI large rifle, all other brands will work as long as you use large rifle and not large rifle magnum.

I hop this helps. As your toys increase so does, the food they eat and not all of them will like the same food.

 

[pcg8r]

Get several reloading manuals.
You need start with Bullseye & Varget on your shelf. Then add, and add & add etc.

 

[.3937"]

These were all very helpful answers - a great starting point. Thanks.

 

[ArtP]

If you don't have reloading books yet, you can go to www.hodgdon.com and see lots of recipes.

I completely understand wanting your components "cross-compatible".

The 9, 40, 45 and perhaps the 10mm could easily be cross-compatible, do some checking on the rifle calibers and you will probably find compatibiliy there.

By the way, a lot of reloaders buy from www.powdervalleyinc.com for their components. The pricing is the best I've seen around, but you will have to fork out $25 per shipment for a hazmat fee. If you buy smart (quantity), they can save you a lot of money.

 

[ScratchnDent]

You could load all the handguns with Unique, and all the rifles with BLC-2.